Sandpit urbanism

A ' city beach' is an artificial landscape of sand, deckchairs, beach umbrellas, potted palm trees, collapsible swimming pools and portable huts temporarily spread onto an urban open space, which is open to public use. Since 1999, over 350 such beaches have been installed on vacant sites in over I 00 different German cities, mostly just for a few months each summer. Most have been developed as profit-oriented hospitality ventures by private entrepreneurs. Even for experienced commercial operators. creating these novel environments requires new engagements with public bureaucracy, neighbours and clientele, because these projects are open to a very broad public for a very wide range of uses. This chapter 's focus is on the small number of city beaches which have been initiated, designed, produced and operated by local citizens.